The Saskatchewan Health Authority has clarified the status of emergency services at the Herbert & District Integrated Facility. A news release from the NDP this week challenged the province on why emergency services had not been available in Herbert since August 7. A statement from the SHA clarified that the emergency department remains open, but that Herbert's facility is unable to provide diagnostic services. "Service disruptions often occur with little notice, most commonly due to staffing shortages," the SHA statement reads. "The Herbert Integrated Health Facility has had a significant short-notice vacancy arise, leading to a disruption in diagnostic services. Short-term service disruptions (often 24 hours or less) are communicated through local social media channels and other platforms, and signage is in place at the affected facilities. "The Emergency Department remains open; therefore, it has not been posted as a long-term disruption on the SHA website." They noted patients requiring urgent lab or diagnostic imaging results are temporarily being referred to Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current. The SHA added that they continue efforts to recruit staff in Herbert. A notice advising of the "temporary disruption to Herbert & District Integrated Facility Emergency Services" went up on the Town of Herbert's Facebook page on August 7. The notice stated that "during these times emergency services... lab/xray will not be available at the Herbert & District Integrated Facility." This statement from the SHA clarifies that it was only the lab and x-ray services that were unavailable, rather than a full closure of the emergency department.